Face-Off

“. . . for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47b)

Battles take place in our lives every day. The strategy used as you face your struggle will decide who emerges as the victor. We see that through three familiar Bible characters:

Job. The only reason he is faithful is because of all the blessings poured out on him and the hedge of protection around him. That was Satan's accusation against Job, blaming God for his faithfulness. He knew if Job lost all his wealth and blessings, he would curse God. But God knew Satan was wrong and allowed him to do whatever he pleased with Job, except to take his life. So, in one day, Satan destroyed all of Job’s livestock; killed his servants (all but the ones who brought the messages to Job) and his children. He took everything from Job except his life and wife (Job 1: 14–19). And if all these tragedies were not enough, painful boils covered his body from head to toe. Although Job didn’t understand why these calamities happened, he never blamed God but instead worshipped Him. Job faced his battle against Satan with confidence in God, knowing the Lord gives and the Lord takes away (1:20–21). God’s servant proved Satan wrong, and God blessed Job in the second half of his life more than in the first half (41:12–13).

Jehoshaphat. Messengers informed King Jehoshaphat of Judah that a great army of three nations was on the way to destroy God’s people. He quickly sought the Lord’s counsel. As all of Judah stood before the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord spoke through a Levite named Jahaziel. The Lord’s message was not to be afraid or discouraged by the mighty approaching army, for the battle was not theirs, but God’s. They were to march out the next day, not fight, but watch the Lord’s victory. Early the following day, the army assembled, and Jehoshaphat told them to believe in the Lord their God, standing firm. Singers were appointed to walk ahead of the army—yes, a choir! Jehoshaphat, his army, and singers faced the enemy that day, believing God, and watched as He fulfilled His message to Jahaziel. When the singers began singing and praising God’s holiness, the Lord caused the enemy to fight among themselves, and none of them survived (2 Chronicles 20:2–24).

David. The Philistines gathered their army for battle, and King Saul gathered his army. They faced each other on opposite hills with a valley between them. Every day for forty days and nights, the Philistine champion warrior, Goliath, strutted before the Israelite army, taunting them to battle. They were terrified—Goliath was over nine feet tall.

A shepherd boy, the youngest of eight sons, was called from the field by his father Jesse to bring food to his three oldest brothers who served in King Saul’s army. He also wanted David to check on their welfare and to report back to him. While in the Israelite camp, David overheard Goliath shout his daily taunt to Israel’s army and questioned some of the soldiers nearby as to why they allowed this pagan to defy God’s army and what was the reward for killing him. David’s words reached King Saul, and he sent for the shepherd boy. Saul told David it was impossible for him to fight Goliath, to which David responded he rescued his sheep from lions and bears many times, killing them, and this Philistine would meet the same fate because he dared defy God and His army. Saul told him to go, offering David battle gear, but he refused since he was not accustomed to it. Instead, he chose five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Armed only with the stones, a sling, and his staff, he headed across the valley to fight the Philistine.

When Goliath saw a boy coming to take up his challenge, he was insulted, cursed David, and roared his scare tactics, trying to intimidate him. But unafraid, David faced his adversary and boldly proclaimed he was fighting in the name of the Lord, and the Lord would deliver Goliath into his hand that day, and everyone would know there was a God in Israel. As he ran toward his opponent, David was confident of victory because he was fighting in the power and authority of the Lord, slinging a stone that sank deep into the adversary’s forehead. The Philistine’s mighty warrior fell face down to the ground. David stood on Goliath, took the giant’s sword, and slew him (1 Samuel 17:1–51). 

The Bible is replete with characters who confidently faced their enemies, believing in God. Are you facing a battle? The common denominator for victory in the three biblical accounts illustrated was confidence in the Lord God Almighty, who fought with and for them. Because they believed in God, they stood firmly in battle. In your “face-off,” who will emerge the victor? You, too, can face your struggle in the power and authority of the Lord, claiming God’s victory. Remember those who have gone before you. Believe God; He is with you and for you.